INTERMISSIONS

INTERMISSION MARCH 25

AU
Inspired by the Win Birthday Shopping Spree

W: You sure you're ok to shop with me?

B: Why wouldn't I be?

W: Well,we only have a few hours downtime and I know this isn't your thing.

B shrugs and gives W a smile.
W smiles back. Time has always been something B was generous with when it came to W. And it was one of W's favorite things about his handsome bro.

W disappears between the rack of clothes, fully enjoying the experience. Once in awhile he'd show one thing or another to B and ask for his opinion. But B always thought anything and everything looked good on W, his opinion was always - Get it. You deserve it.

As W looked in the glass case filled with pendants and baubles, B quietly approaches the head sales assistant. He hands her his black Mastercard. "Anything he wants, charge it to me. Please don't tell him. I don't want him to edit his choices."

"Your secret is safe with me sir," the woman smiles as she discreetly pockets the card.

W is oblivious to the whole exchange. He was currently biting his lip, looking into the glass case with so much concentration, he didn't even notice B appear beside him.

"Yen for your thoughts?," B whispers.

W jumps. "Oh. Uh. Nothing," he stammers.

"C'mon tell me. What were you thinking of?"

W: Well, um. I was just looking at the ring. Nothing important.

B follows W's gaze and sees a sparkly chain ring- one of those that people often said symbolized infinity.
B lowers his gaze and rakes a hand through his hair.

B: You want it? Why don't you get it?

Now, it's W who turns beet red. He avoids B's eyes.
W: Oh. Uh. That kind of ring is...is. It's not something you get for yourself. I don't think.

They stand there silent for a few moments. Their hearts drumming loudly in their ears. Finally, B speaks.

B: Then, let me get it for you.

W: No, no. I didn't mean-

B: I insist, Metawin. Let me get it for you.

B reaches down and gets the ring.

B: I'll ask the saleslady to wrap it up?

W fiddles with the sleeves of his shirt, unable to hide the nerves he was now feeling.
"I need to know if it fits...," W mumbles.

Bright hears anyway.

Their eyes meet and B steps closer.

It seemed like muscle memory, like B was always destined to pick W's soft fair hand, feel his one callus against his palm then slowly and deliberately slide that diamond ring into his index finger.
The ring fit like it's always been W's.
Their hands stayed like that for longer,
one on top of the other. Their breaths held.

B: It fits.
W: It does.

Silence.

B: I'll tell the cashier.

W: Wait, I should take it off first.

B: No!
B's face is a tomato when he finally says: "Please don't. Don't take it off."

W watches B head to the counter and he decides to follow, carrying all the things he shopped for. He places it on the counter but instead of ringing the items up, he notices that the salespeople were beginning to wrap each one in gift paper.